by crossriverwatch admin
Minister for Lands and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakanyi says limited access to unencumbered land and finance for people to build houses are the cause of seventeen percent housing deficit in the country.
Mrs Eyakanyi who made the remarks yesterday in Calabar the Cross River State capital at the groundbreaking ceremony of Brick Heritage Estate the constituency project of Hon. Nkoyo Toyo at Esuk Odot stated that housing is a social responsibility of government to provide for its people but the stumbling block has been the lack of land and adequate finances .
“Government is encouraging corporate organizations to partner with it towards providing affordable and decent housing for the teeming population and this is achievable but the major challenge to this has been lack of access to unencumbered land finances to build the houses”.
She asserted that President Goodluck Jonathan in his transformation agenda has the provision of shelter to the people as top priority. “Nigerians and future generations of Nigerians deserve good accommodation and it is the responsibility of government and that is precisely what this government is focusing on with the ongoing construction of ten thousand housing units across the states of the federation”.
Mrs. Eyakanyi stated that government would provide infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water and security in the Nkoyo Toyo Brick Heritage estate to make living there secure and pleasurable for beneficiaries of plots in the estate.
Hon Nkoyo Toyo, the Member representing Calabar Municipality and Odukpani Federal Constituency said it is her desire to change the context of rural development that has propelled her to acquire the 154 plots of land at the Esuk Odot village to provide land and the enabling environment for people of his constituency to build and own their own houses.
“What is expected is for a beneficiary to save N250,000 and I add up N200,000 for the person to start the building and as the construction progresses, the person saves another N250,000 and I add up another N200,000 for the building to continue and this is achievable”.
She said an audit of those who have saved the money will be made within twelve months and any of those who have achieved the target will receive assistance from her to facilitate the speedy construction of the houses by the beneficiaries.
“This is an honest project to help people build and own houses and there is no 419 here – I have never been associated with 419 and I do not have any 419 background.”
Mrs. Obioma Imoke, wife of the Cross River State governor Senator Liyel Imoke said Hon Nkoyo Toyo since her election Has accentuated the voice of women through her purposeful representation. “She has acted what she promised the people during her electioneering campaign”.
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